Gussetted package, method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

Gussetted packages having openable and reclosable interlocking seals and a method and apparatus for making the same, the seals having male and female portions, snap detents, and formed transversely to the direction of film flow. The packaging film is provided at package length intervals with thermoformable strips secured thereto transversely to the running length of the film, and is fed to a modified standard vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine with gussets forming tooling where the film is formed into a bag with the thermoformable strips inside at the upper end of the bag, product deposited into the bag, the bag sealed, the reclosable interlocking seal formed, and the bag severed from the next bag being formed. The reclosable seal provides auditory and tactile indications of seal closing. Some packages are formed with the thermoformable strips in the gusset, and some are formed with the gusset free of strip material.

[0001] This application is a continuation in part of copendingapplication Ser. No. 09/693,963 filed on Oct. 23, 2001.

[0002] This invention relates generally to packaging systems, and moreparticularly to flexible gussetted packages having an openable andreclosable interlocking seal provided with snap detents spaced along amajor part of the length of the seal, the reclosable interlocking sealhaving male and female parts with the detents being formed in the femalepart and extending into the male part. The novel seal and snap detentsstructure provides tactile and auditory snap indications of the state ofthe seal during opening and closing of the package. Also disclosed aremethods and apparatus for making such packages and seals from acontinuous web of flexible film, the seals being formed during packageformation at line speed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The advantages of gussetted packages for the storage of somekinds of substances is well known, and particularly where a wide mouthpackage or pour spout is desired. They also provide superior casepacking and display shelf utilization as compared to stand-up poucheswhich may have zipper closures. The known art directed toward gussettedpackages with some form of snap closure is Galomb U.S. Pat. No.6,082,897. Galomb discloses a bulky two element pre-formed semi-rigidsnap structure comprising a male part and a female part both affixed tothe outside of the package by tacking or adhesive, each of which partsis secured to the package material along only one of the part edges sothat the package material can move longitudinally relatively to thefemale part and can be stuffed into it by the male part during packageclosure. The snap parts are sufficiently bulky and rigid that they arenot capable of being run over the forming collar of a vertical form fillapparatus and must be separately inventoried and affixed to the packageafter it has been formed. No apparatus for or method of making thepackage is disclosed by Galomb.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The gussetted package and system according to the presentinvention utilize composite packaging film structures comprising thepackaging film with several different configurations of strips offormable plastic laminated to the film at package length intervals fromwhich several different gussetted packages are respectively formed, somepackages having the formable plastic strip within the gussets and somepackages which utilize relatively thick packaging film having thegussets formed without such plastic strip. The composite packaging filmstructures may be preformed and stored as roll stock material, whichdoes not appear to be practical with the Galomb structure, or may beconcurrently made with package formation by a Sig Pack, Inc. Easy Snap™Laminator mounted atop or adjacent to the packaging apparatus to formone of the shown and to be described specific novel composite packagingfilm structures, which composite film is then fed into the packagingapparatus with the plastic strips disposed on the inside of the packageand incorporated into the novel reclosable seal formed in the film andstrip composite. The laminator functions with both horizontal andvertical form/fill/seal wrapping machines and with overwrap packagers,and laminates various plastic strip materials to diverse heat sealpackaging films to selectively form several related types of gussettedpackages.

[0005] As disclosed in copending application Ser. No. 09/693,963, thepackaging films could be for example, polypropylene, polyethylene,polystyrene, polyvinylchloride, thermoplastic heat seal coatednon-plastic films, and various film laminations of two to four layers,while the plastic strip could be formed of one to three layers. In someapplications the strip could be a single thickness of polyvinylchloride(PVC) heat sealed to a PVC film at a temperature of about 230° F. for ½to {fraction (3/4 )} seconds, while in other applications the stripcould be of two layers such as PVC plus a sealing layer, or three layerssuch as a center layer coated on opposite sides respectively with asealing layer and a release layer to prevent the strip from selfadhering during formation of the reclosable interlock seal. A commonlyused packaging film is a four layer film consisting of two layers ofpolypropylene separated by a layer of low density polyethylene andhaving a heat seal layer of low density polyethylene coated on one face.

[0006] The invention is shown and described in conjunction with amodified vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine having a novelpackage sealing press which latter also forms the novel resealableclosure, the packaging machine being for example a Sig Pack, Inc. EagleInfinity, Model 1524 fitted with standard gusset tooling, Gussettedpackages made according to the invention incorporating the novelreclosable seal also address consumer complaints relating to prior artzipper seals by providing clear auditory and tactile indications of theclosing of the reclosable seal by incorporation of snap detents, so thatthe consumer is assured that the package has been resealed even in theabsence of visual package inspection.

[0007] Accordingly, it is a primary object of the invention to providenovel gussetted packages with openable and reclosable interlockingseals.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide novel compositepackaging film structures comprising packaging film with strips offormable plastic laminated to the film at package length intervals.

[0009] An additional object of the invention is to provide novelgussetted packages having a novel openable and reclosable interlockingseal as aforesaid in which the bulk of the seal structure is provided byan added layer of strip material secured in a specific way to thepackaging film at package length intervals.

[0010] A further object of the invention is to provide novel gussettedpackages having novel openable and reclosable interlocking seals asaforesaid in which the ends of the strip material are positioned inabutment at substantially the center of one face of the package toprovide a hinge to assist in package opening.

[0011] Still another object of the invention is to provide novelgussetted packages having reclosable interlocking package seals havingmale and female parts with snap detents formed in the parts, the closurestructure providing tactile and auditory snap indications of the stateof the closure during opening and closing of the package.

[0012] A yet further object of the invention is to provide novelgussetted packages as aforesaid in which the reclosable interlockingseal is formed from the packaging film and a heat sealable strip heatsealed to the packaging film.

[0013] A still further object of the invention is to provide novelgussetted packages as aforesaid in which the packages may be formed froma variety of packaging films such as polypropylene, polyethelene,polystyrene, polyvinylchloride, and various film laminates.

[0014] An additional object of the invention is to provide a novelmethod and apparatus for making gussetted packages with reclosable sealsaccording to the invention.

[0015] The foregoing and other objects of the invention will be moreclearly understood from a reading of the following description inconjunction with an examination of the appended drawings, wherein:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of the apparatus according tothe invention showing the method and stages of gussetted packageforming, filling, sealing, and severing;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic front view of the apparatus seen in FIG.1;

[0018]FIG. 2A is an isometric view of the gusset tooling utilized in theapparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0019]FIG. 3 is a plan view of a portion of one form of the compositefilm showing the packaging film and the placement of the attachedplastic strips suitable for making a gussetted package having a fin seallongitudinal seal, and in which the gussets include a portion of theplastic strip material;

[0020]FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic cross section view through an open topgussetted package formed from the film of FIG. 3 showing the sidesgussets which include a portion of the plastic strip material;

[0021]FIG. 4A is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of the package ofFIG. 4 in its closed condition;

[0022]FIG. 5 is a plan view of a portion of another form of thecomposite film showing the packaging film and the placement of theattached strip suitable for making a gussetted package in which bothside gussets are free of the plastic strip material and are formed onlyby the packaging film;

[0023]FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic cross section view through an opengussetted package formed from the film of FIG. 5;

[0024]FIG. 6A is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of the package ofFIG. 6 in its closed condition;

[0025]FIG. 7 is a plan view of a portion of another form of thecomposite film showing the packaging film and the placement of anattached plastic strip suitable for making a gussetted package having afin seal longitudinal seal, a half package transversely extending fixedseal, and a half package transversely extending gussetted reclosableseal;

[0026]FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic cross section view through an openreclosable seal gussetted package formed from the film of FIG. 7, thepackage having a fin seal longitudinal seal, a half package transverselyextending fixed seal, and a half package transversely extendinggussetted reclosable seal in which the gusset include a portion of theplastic strip material;

[0027]FIG. 8A is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of the package ofFIG. 8 in its closed condition;

[0028]FIG. 9 is a plan view of a portion of yet another form ofcomposite film showing the packaging film and the placement of theattached plastic strips suitable for making a gussetted package having afm seal longitudinal seal, a half package transversely extending fixedseal, and a half package transversely extending gussetted reclosableseal, and in which the gussets are free of any plastic strip material;

[0029]FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic cross section view through an openreclosable seal gussetted package formed from the film of FIG. 9;

[0030]FIG. 10A is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of the package ofFIG. 10 in its closed condition;

[0031]FIG. 11 is an enlarged expanded vertical cross sectional viewshowing the detailed structure of the gussetting tooling and sealsforming and package severing apparatus shown in the phantom circle 11 onFIG. 1;

[0032]FIGS. 11A through 11C show successive steps in the ends sealing,reclosable seal forming, and package severing process;

[0033]FIG. 12 is an isometric view showing the forming dies which formthe snap detents in the reclosable interlocking seal, with a part of thereclosable seal shown in phantom outline;

[0034]FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary isometric view of the inner andouter parts of the reclosable seal in separated position, showing thesnap detents in the sidewalls of the seal adjacent to the arrowheadinterlock;

[0035]FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross section through the reclosable sealshown in the phantom circle on FIG. 1 1C showing the placement of theforming dies of FIG. 12 and between the snap detents;

[0036]FIG. 15 is an enlarged cross section through the reclosable sealand the snap detents which are formed between the teeth of the formingdies, as would be seen when viewed along line 15-15 on FIG. 12;

[0037]FIG. 16 is an isometric view of a gussetted package according tothe invention of the type shown in FIG. 6 but showing a longitudinallyextending overlap package seal uppermost, the package end seals, theintegrally formed reclosable seal with the female portion uppermost andthe seal detent snaps;

[0038]FIG. 17 shows the package of FIG. 16 with the top end seal removedand the package opened;

[0039]FIG. 18 is a showing similar to that of FIG. 17 but for thepackage of FIG. 10;

[0040]FIG. 19 is is an enlarged cross sectional diagrammatic showing ofthe upper end of a package including the novel reclosable interlockingseal according to the invention in its closed condition, and the packagetop heat seal spaced above the reclosable seal with an interveninglength of unsecured package film; and

[0041]FIG. 20 is an enlarged cross sectional diagrammatic showing of thenovel reclosable interlocking seal according to the invention similar toFIG. 19 but with the reclosable seal partly pulled open from the top;

[0042] In the several figures, like elements are denoted by likereference characters, and to the extent possible the referencecharacters are consistent with those of copending application Ser. No.09/693,963.

[0043] Considering first the side and front diagrammatic elevationalviews of FIGS. 1 and 2, there is seen a modified conventional verticalform-film packaging apparatus designated generally as 20 for formonggussetted packages, and which could be for example a Sig Pack, Inc.Eagle Infinity, Model 1524, comprising a vertical cylindrical fill tube21 surmounted by a conical feed horn 22 into which the material to bepackaged is deposited. Disposed adjacent to the feed horn 22 at an angleof about fifteen degrees above the horizontal and turned downward aroundthe feed horn 22 and fill tube 21 with a slight space therebetween is afill tube forming collar 23, the purpose of which, together with thefill tube 21, is to form a composite web of packaging material 24 beingfed over the forming collar 23 into a tube having a longitudinallyextending seal 26 formed by the heat seal device 27.

[0044] A pair of belt drives 28, by pulling downward on the tube 25,pull the web 24 downward off of the supply roll 29 or from the compositeweb forming apparatus 30 which laminates thermoformable strips 31 to thepackaging material 32 to form the composite web of packaging material24. The apparatus 30 may be a a Sig Pack, Inc. Easy Snap™ Laminator. Thefilled descending tube is formed into a gussetted tube 25 by the gussettooling, designated generally at 50 and described more fully inconnection with FIGS. 2 and 2A, the gussetted tube passing through thebottom press 33 where it pauses for formation of the top seal 35, thereclosable seal 36, formation of a bottom seal 37 of the next descendingpackage, and severing of the completed package 34 from the above lyingtube. The completed package 34 is carried away by the conveyor 38.

[0045] The apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 departs from conventional verticalform-fill apparatus in several particulars, first, by modifying theorientation of the fill tube forming collar 23 to the surface of theconical feed horn 22 by reorienting the forming collar as shown anddescribed in copending application Ser. No. 09/693,963, and providing aleading edge tack 44 to the strips 31, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 7, and 9to be subsequently described. The second difference is the inclusion ofthe subsequently to be described novel bottom press 33 which forms thenovel gussetted reclosable seal, in conjunction with the gussettingtooling 50. The gusset forming tooling 50 is seen in FIGS. 1 and 2positioned with the gusset forming plow 51 positioned above the press 33and with the gusset maintaining tool 52 positioned below the press 33 sothat the shape of the gussetted tube 25 is formed above and maintainedthroughout and somewhat below the vertical extent of the press 33,whereby the press acts on the gussettted form of the tube 25. Details ofthe gusset forming tooling 50, including the upper plow 51 and the lowermaintainer 52 are best seen in the showing of FIG. 2A which also showsthe reciprocating mechanism for retracting and inserting the gussetforming plow 51 and maintainer 52.

[0046] Considering now FIGS. 3, 5, 7, and 9, there are seen thepackaging film material 32 and respectively a plurality of differentconfigurations of thermoformable strips 31, 131A and 131B, 231, and 331Aand 331B, secured to the film 32 substantially continuously along thestrips trailing edges 39 by heat seals 40, along the strips ends 41 asat 42, and by short tacks 43 at the center of the strips leading edges44 to insure that the leading edge is against the packaging film as thecomposite web passes into the space between the feed horn 22 and formingcollar 23 to prevent tearing off the strips from the film. The stripsare all secured to the film inward from the film side edges to providethe margins 48 for formation of the longitudinal fin seals 26. Varioustypes of suitable plastic strip material are shown and described incopending application Ser. No. 09/693,963.

[0047]FIGS. 3, 5, 7, and 9 show the different configurations of stripson the film 32, required to form the different gussetted packages ofFIGS. 4, 6, 8, and 10 respectively. Strip 31 of FIG. 3 produces thegussetted package of FIG. 4 having the strip 31 extending completelyperipherally around the inside of the gussetted tube, in the sides ofthe package and in the gussets 55. Strips 13 1A and 131B of FIG. 5 formthe gussetted package of FIG. 6 with both gussets free of the plasticstrip material and formed only by the packaging film 32, the gussetsbeing defined by the film regions 53 shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 9, and 10.Strip 231 of FIG. 7 forms the gussetted package of FIG. 8 having a finseal longitudinal seal, a half package transversely extending fixed seal54, and a half package transversely extending gussetted reclosable sealin which the gusset 55 includes a portion of the plastic strip material231. Strips 331A and 331B of FIG. 9 form the gussetted package of FIG.10 having a fin seal longitudinal seal, a half package transverselyextending fixed seal 54′ like that of 54 in FIG. 8, and a half packagetransversely extending gussetted reclosable seal in which the gusset isfree of the plastic strip material and formed only by the packaging film32, the gusset being defined by the film region 53 also shown in FIG. 9.The package transverse extents of the fixed seals 54 of FIGS. 8,8A, 10,and 10A relative to the extents of the package reclosable seals has beenshown as substantially equal, but other ratios can be chosen as desired.

[0048] The strips 31 and 131A are also provided with apertures 49through the strips which in the completed packages act as a weakenedregion allowing a hinge fold to occur when the package is opened.Another hinge is provided in the completed packages opposite the firsthinge by the substantially abutting apposed ends 41 of the strips 31,131B, 231, and 331A and 331B as seen in FIGS. 4, 6, 8, and 10, all ofwhich show a fin seal longitudinal package seal 26 formed by the sidemargins 48. An overlap longitudinal seal may be made by other verticalform-fill machines, and such is illustrated in FIG. 13.

[0049] Turning now to FIGS. 11 through 11C which illustrate theformation of the package end seals and reclosable seal of the package ofFIG. 4, there is seen in FIG. 11 a partly completed gussetted package 34which has been filled with product 56 while descending, and has stoppedat a position where the upper part of the package is within the bottompress 33 just prior to completion by the formation of the top seal andreclosable seal. The package 34 is stopped so that the thermoformablestrip 31 is positioned between the reclosable seal forming horizontallyreciprocable heated female die 58 and the two part heated male die 57,with an above-lying length 59 of the tube 25 positioned below thecomposite heated dies 60 and 61 and the package severing cutter 62 andanvil 63. The female die 58 is provided with a forming recess 68, andthe male die is provided with a forming wedge 69 carried by the male diepart 57B and shaped complementally to the female die recess 68. Thecomposite dies 60 and 61 consist of a pair of dies 64 which form the topseal 35 of the package 34 being completed, and a pair of above-lyingdies 65 which form the bottom seal 37 of the next package to descend.Disposed above and below the forming recess 68 of female die 58 are apair of heated reclosable seal detent forming toothed dies 66reciprocable with the female die 58 and pivotable toward one another onpivots 67.

[0050]FIG. 11A shows the reclosable seal forming heated dies 57 and 58moved toward one another and into engagement, heat forming the packagefilm 32 and thermoformable strip 31 into the recess of the female die 58to form the point of the arrowhead shaped reclosable seal. For clarity,the strip 31 is not shown in FIGS. 11A through 11C, but its location isseen clearly from FIGS. 11 and 13 to 15. At the same time, the heateddies 60 and 61 heat seal the gussetted tube 25 entirely widthwise for avertical interval 70 and define the unsecured interval 59 between thebottom of the top seal 35 and the top of the reclosable seal 36, theportion of the seal 70 heated by the dies 64 becoming the package topseal 35, and the portion of the seal 70 heated by the dies 65 becomingthe bottom seal 37 of the next descending package when the seal 70 issubsequently severed widthwise by the cutter 62.

[0051] The next step is a hybrid between FIGS. 11A and 11B in which theconditions are as shown in FIG. 11A except that the detent forming dies66 have pivoted inward and closed sufficiently to begin formation of theinwardly sloping bottom surfaces 72 of the arrowhead shaped interlock,but not sufficiently to clamp the male die forming wedge 69.

[0052]FIG. 11B shows the immediately following condition in which thecutter 62 has moved laterally to sever the heat seal 70 against theanvil 63 and separate the package 34 from the above-lying tube 25. Atthe same time, male die part 57B carrying the wedge 69 partiallyretracts from the recess 68 of female die 58 and from between the teeth71 of the dies 66, and the dies 66 pivot further inward driving thedetent forming die teeth 71 toward one another to their maximum closedposition, the teeth 71 pinching the packaging film 32 and thermoformablestrip 31 therebetween to form the film and strip into the female dierecess to continue forming the inwardly sloping bottom surfaces 72 ofthe arrowhead shaped reclosable seal 36, and forming the snap detents 73best seen in FIGS. 11 and 13. The female die 58 is then moved somewhatleft toward the dies 66 to set the arrowhead shape between itself andthe facing surfaces of teeth 71 of detent forming dies 66. The detents73 are formed because as the softened thermoformable material of thefilm and strip are compressed between the teeth 71 the only directionthat the compressed material can move is laterally into the spacesbetween the teeth 71, and then bulge outward between the teeth, formingthe detents 73.

[0053]FIG. 11C shows the male and female dies 57 and 58 outwardlyretracted with the female die laterally carrying the package 34 heldwithin it by the unopened detent forming dies 66, and the package endseal dies 60 and 61 and the cutter 62 have been retracted. The dies 66remain engaged for a short time to complete setting of the detents,after which they open and release the completed package which drops tothe conveyor 38 as shown in FIG. 1, and the sequence commencing withFIG. 11 is repeated. Sequencing and timing controls and drives for thesequential movements of the various dies is provided by standardcommercially available components.

[0054]FIGS. 12 through 15 show in greater detail the detent formingtoothed dies 66 and the structure of the reclosable seal 36. FIG. 12shows more clearly the relationship between the dies and the reclosableseal, and shows the shorter die teeth 76 on one side of the die in thecentral region of the die corresponding to the region of the overlaplongitudinal package seal 26 formed by the film margin 47, as best shownin FIG. 13, and also for a fin seal as shown in the earlier figures. Thedies 66 are also formed at their opposite apposed ends with long flatteeth 80 which are slightly lower than the teeth 71 to accommodate theextra thickness of material in the gussets, the difference in elevationof the teeth 71 and 80 being on the order of thousandths of an inch. Insome cases it has also been found desirable to slightly taper the teeth80 downward from their beginning adjacent to the teeth 71 toward the dieends.

[0055]FIG. 13 also shows more clearly the snap detents 73 which areformed in the seal male part 36A and female part 36B by an outwardbulging of the thermoformable material between adjacent teeth 71 of thedies 66 when the dies close. The heat softened material between theapposed die teeth is compressed and can only move laterally, but suchmovement causes the outward bulging of the material which forms thedetents since material is moving from oppsite sides into the same spacebetween the adjacent die teeth and can not move inward. This is alsoshown in FIG. 14 in which the detents 73 are shown behind the die teeth71. FIG. 15 is a section taken through the detents and shows theinterfitted arrangement.

[0056]FIG. 16 shows a completed gussetted package of the type shown inFIG. 6 about to be opened by cutting off the top heat seal 35 withscissors 77, and FIG. 17 shows the package of FIG. 16 with the top heatseal removed and pulled open, the bag remaining open because of thegussets and hinging folds 78 and 79. The hinge 78 results from theweakening produced by the strip 31 aperture 49 which is formed into therelatively rigid male part 36A of the reclosable seal 36, while thehinge 79 is formed at the abutment of the ends of the strip 31 locatedin the female part 36 B. The package is simply closed by inward directedfinger pressure on the outside of the package along the male and femaleparts 36A and 36B of reclosable seal 36 which causes the package sidesto infold the gussets and snap to each other so that the snap detentsinterlock. FIG. 18 is a showing similar to that of FIG. 17, but for apackage of the type shown in FIG. 10, illustrating the pour spoutconfiguration achieved with this form of package.

[0057]FIGS. 19 and 20 show the upper end of a package 34 in enlargeddiagrammatic cross section to illustrate the opening of the package. Asshown in FIG. 19, the top seal is removed by cutting below it to providethe free top tabs of packaging film 32 shown in FIG. 20. These top tabsare pulled away from each other as shown in FIG. 20 to open the femalepart 36B of the reclosable seal and disengage it from the inner malepart 36A. The opening leverage is materially increased because the strip31 is sealed to the film 32 by the trailing edge heat seal 40 and theopening pull is transmitted through the strip 31. Conversely,inadvertent opening of the package from the body side of the package isdiscriminated against because the strip 31 is substantially unsecured tothe package film 32 at its leading edge 44 inside the package and thereis no reinforcement of pull on the film by the strip.

[0058] Having now described the invention in connection withparticularly illustrated embodiments thereof, it will be understood thatmodifications and variations of the invention may now occur from time totime to those normally skilled in the art without departing from theessential scope or spirit of the invention, and accordingly it isintended to claim the invention both broadly and specifically asindicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. Packaging material for forming a flexiblegussetted package in which the package to be formed is characterized byhaving front and rear faces and a pair of gussetted opposite sidesextending between said front and rear faces, and having a reclosableinterlocking seal effective to open and close one end of the package,comprising in combination, a) a continuous web of substantially constantthickness packaging material, said web having width and selectablerunning length, said width defining the side edges of said web, and b) aplurality of discrete strips of substantially constant thicknessflexible material disposed colinearly transversely across said web andbeing spaced apart from each other, said strips having length and width,said strips width defining the strips ends, said strips lengths havingtop and bottom edges and being greater than said strips widths, saidlengths of each of said plurality of strips being secured transverselyto the running length of said web of packaging material along the stripstop edges and being substantially unsecured along the bottom edges. 2.Packaging material for forming a flexible gussetted package as set forthin claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of strips is secured to saidpackaging material for a short length substantially centrally along itsbottom edge.
 3. Packaging material for forming a flexible gussettedpackage as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of stripsis secured to said packaging material substantially continuously alongits top edge.
 4. Packaging material for forming a flexible gussettedpackage as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of stripsis secured to said packaging material substantially continuously alongits top edge and opposite ends.
 5. Packaging material for forming aflexible gussetted package as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of saidplurality of strips is secured to said packaging material substantiallycontinuously along its top edge and opposite ends. and for a shortlength substantially centrally along its bottom edge.
 6. In a flexiblegussetted package formed from a continuous web of substantially constantthickness packaging material characterized by having front and rearfaces and at least one gussetted side extending between said front andrear faces, a repeatably openable and reclosable interlocking sealoperative to open and close said package body to provide and preventrespectively access to the package interior, said reclosableinterlocking seal extending through said front and rear faces and atleast one gussetted side of said package and comprising in combination,inner and outer interlocking portions, the inner and outer portions ofsaid seal in at least said front and rear faces of said package eachcomprising one thickness of said flexible packaging material secured toone thickness of at least one discrete strip of substantially constantthickness flexible material, said at least one strip having length andwidth, said strip width defining the strip ends, said strip lengthhaving top and bottom edges and being greater than said strip width,said at least one strip being secured to said packaging material alongthe strip top edge and being substantially unsecured along its bottomedge.
 7. A flexible gussetted package interlocking seal as set forth inclaim 6 wherein said discrete strip of substantially constant thicknessflexible material is absent from said at least one gussetted side ofsaid package.
 8. A flexible gussetted package interlocking seal as setforth in claim 6 wherein said discrete strip of substantially constantthickness flexible material also extends through said at least onegussetted side of said package.
 9. A flexible gussetted packageinterlocking seal as set forth in claim 6 wherein said at least onegussetted side of said package is a pair of opposite gussetted sidesextending between said front and rear package faces.
 10. A flexiblegussetted package interlocking seal as set forth in claim 6 wherein saidat least one gussetted side of said package is a pair of oppositegussetted sides extending between said front and rear package faces andsaid discrete strip of substantially constant thickness flexiblematerial is absent from at least one of said pair of gussetted sides ofsaid package.
 11. A flexible gussetted package interlocking seal as setforth in claim 6 wherein said at least one gussetted side of saidpackage is a pair of opposite gussetted sides extending between saidfront and rear package faces and said discrete strip of substantiallyconstant thickness flexible material is absent from both of said pair ofgussetted sides of said package.
 12. A flexible gussetted packageinterlocking seal as set forth in claim 6 wherein said at least onegussetted side of said package is a pair of opposite gussetted sidesextending between said front and rear package faces, and said discretestrip of substantially constant thickness flexible material also extendsthrough at least one of said pair of gussetted sides of said package.13. A flexible gussetted package interlocking seal as set forth in claim6 wherein said at least one gussetted side of said package is a pair ofopposite gussetted sides extending between said front and rear packagefaces, and said discrete strip of substantially constant thicknessflexible material also extends through both of said pair of gussettedsides of said package.
 14. A flexible gussetted package interlockingseal as set forth in claim 6 wherein said at least one strip is securedto said packaging material substantially continuously along its top edgeand opposite ends and for a short length substantially centrally alongits bottom edge.
 15. A flexible gussetted package interlocking seal asset forth in claim 6 wherein said seal is of arrowhead shape in crosssection and includes detent snaps in the sides of the arrowhead along atleast a portion of the length of said seal.
 16. A flexible gussettedpackage interlocking seal as set forth in claim 6 wherein, a) said stripof substantially constant thickness flexible material is secured to saidpackaging material substantially continuously along its top edge andopposite ends, and for a short length substantially centrally along itsbottom edge, and b) said seal is of arrowhead shape in cross section andincludes detent snaps in the sides of the arrowhead along at least aportion of the length of said seal.
 17. A flexible gussetted packageformed from at least one thickness of a continuous web of substantiallyconstant thickness flexible packaging material and at least one discretestrip of substantially constant thickness flexible material, having aclosed body with opposite ends and at least one package body end seal,characterized by, a) front and rear package faces and at least onegussetted side extending between said front and rear faces, b) arepeatably openable and reclosable interlocking seal operative to openand close said package body to provide and prevent respectively accessto the package interior, said reclosable interlocking seal extendingtransversely across said package body through said front and rear facesand said at least one gussetted side of said package, and comprising incombination, inner and outer interlocking portions, the inner and outerportions of said seal in at least said front and rear faces of saidpackage each comprising one thickness of said flexible packagingmaterial secured to said at least one discrete strip of substantiallyconstant thickness flexible material, said at least one strip havinglength and width, said strip width defining the strip ends, said striplength having top and bottom edges and being greater than said stripwidth, said at least one strip being secured to said packaging materialalong the strip top edge and being substantially unsecured along itsbottom edge.
 18. A flexible gussetted package as set forth in claim 17wherein said strip is secured to said packaging material substantiallycontinuously along its top edge and opposite ends and for a short lengthsubstantially centrally along its bottom edge.
 19. A flexible gussettedpackage as set forth in claim 17 wherein said discrete strip ofsubstantially constant thickness flexible material is absent from saidat least one gussetted side of said package.
 20. A flexible gussettedpackage as set forth in claim 17 wherein said discrete strip ofsubstantially constant thickness flexible material also extends throughsaid at least one gussetted side of said package.
 21. A flexiblegussetted package as set forth in claim 17 wherein said at least onegussetted side of said package is a pair of opposite gussetted sidesextending between said front and rear package faces.
 22. A flexiblegussetted package as set forth in claim 17 wherein said at least onegussetted side of said package is a pair of opposite gussetted sidesextending between said front and rear package faces and said discretestrip of substantially constant thickness flexible material is absentfrom at least one of said pair of gussetted sides of said package.
 23. Aflexible gussetted package as set forth in claim 17 wherein said atleast one gussetted side of said package is a pair of opposite gussettedsides extending between said front and rear package faces and saiddiscrete strip of substantially constant thickness flexible material isabsent from both of said pair of gussetted sides of said package.
 24. Aflexible gussetted package as set forth in claim 17 wherein said atleast one gussetted side of said package is a pair of opposite gussettedsides extending between said front and rear package faces, and saiddiscrete strip of substantially constant thickness flexible materialalso extends through at least one of said pair of gussetted sides ofsaid package.
 25. A flexible gussetted package as set forth in claim 17wherein said at least one gussetted side of said package is a pair ofopposite gussetted sides extending between said front and rear packagefaces, and said discrete strip of substantially constant thicknessflexible material also extends through both of said pair of gussettedsides of said package.
 26. A flexible gussetted package as set forth inclaim 17 wherein said seal is of arrowhead shape in cross section andincludes detent snaps in the sides of the arrowhead along at least aportion of the length of said seal.
 27. A flexible gussetted package asset forth in claim 17 wherein, a) said strip of substantially constantthickness flexible material is secured to said packaging materialsubstantially continuously along its top edge and opposite ends, and fora short length substantially centrally along its bottom edge, and b)said seal is of arrowhead shape in cross section and includes detentsnaps in the sides of the arrowhead along at least a portion of thelength of said seal.
 28. A flexible gussetted package as set forth inclaim 17 wherein said at least one package body end seal comprises apair of package body end seals, one of said pair of end seals beinglocated at one end of the said package body and the other of said pairof end seals being located at the other end of said package body, andwherein the said reclosable interlocking seal is located on the packagebody side of one of said end seals.
 29. A flexible gussetted package asset forth in claim 17 wherein said reclosable interlocking seal extendsonly partly transversely across said package body including said atleast one gussetted side and a portion of said front and rear facesadjacent to said at least one gussetted side, a line along the portionof said package extending transversely from the end of said reclosableinterlocking seal to the opposite side of said package being permanentlysealed closed, whereby, the package is openable only partly across andforms a pour spout when so opened.
 30. A flexible gussetted package asset forth in claim 29 wherein said discrete strip of substantiallyconstant thickness flexible material is absent from said at least onegussetted side of said package.
 31. A flexible gussetted package as setforth in claim 29 wherein said discrete strip of substantially constantthickness flexible material also extends through said at least onegussetted side of said package.
 32. A method of making a flexiblegussetted package formed from a continuous web of substantially constantthickness packaging material characterized by having front and rearfaces and at least one gussetted side extending between said front andrear faces, a repeatably openable and reclosable interlocking sealoperative to open and close said package body to provide and preventrespectively access to the package interior, said reclosableinterlocking seal extending through said front and rear faces and atleast one gussetted side of said package and comprising in combination,inner and outer interlocking portions, the inner and outer portions ofsaid seal in at least said front and rear faces of said package eachcomprising one thickness of said flexible packaging material secured toat least one discrete strip of substantially constant thickness flexiblematerial, consisting of the steps of, a) transporting in lengthwisedirection a web of flexible packaging material of selected width andindeterminate length having at least one thermoformable strip of alength substantially greater than the strip width affixed to the webwith the strip length oriented transversely to the running length of thefilm at package length intervals, b) passing said film over a formingcollar and around a cylindrical forming tube and forming alongitudinally sealed cylindrical tube of packaging film with the saidat least one thermoformable strip inside the film tube, and with thesurface of the said at least one strip not secured to the film being infacing relationship within the tube, c) moving the film tube past agusseting tool to provide a pair of opposite side gussets in the tube,d) moving the portion of the gussetted tube within which the strip isdisposed between a pair of spaced apart heated male and female formingdies, e) moving said dies toward one another to press the face of thesaid at least one strip not secured to the film against itself to formtwo apposed strip faces extending at least partly across the film tube,and continuing to move said dies toward one another into mating positionand forming the central part of the strip extending across the film tubeinto the recess of said female die to form the tip of an arrowhead shapeof the reclosable seal, f) moving toward one another into closedposition a pair of interlock forming heated dies positioned at oppositesides of the female die to press portions of the margins of the stripimmediately adjacent to the central part of the strip inward against oneanother to complete the inner male and outer female parts of thereclosable interlocking seal held between the female die and the pair ofinterlock forming heated dies while partially retracting the male die,and g) fully retracting the male and female dies to their initialpositions.
 33. The method of making a resealable package having areclosable interlocking seal as set forth in claim 32 wherein said stepof pressing portions of the margins of the strip immediately adjacent tothe central part of the strip inward against one another to form theinner and outer parts of the reclosable interlocking seal includes, thestep of moving said interlock forming dies inward to pinch together theportion of the strip therebetween to form the inturned base of thearrowhead shape in the interfitted parts of the reclosable interlockingseal, and the further step of forming detents in portions of the marginsof the strip next remote from the inturned base of the arrowhead shapeof the reclosable seal.
 34. The method of making a resealable packagehaving a reclosable interlocking seal as set forth in claim 32 whereinthe step of completing the reclosable interlocking seal and partiallyretracting the male die includes the sequential steps of, a) partiallyclosing the interlock forming heated dies to begin formation of theinwardly sloping bottom surfaces of the arrowhead shaped interlock sealbut not closed sufficiently to clamp the male die, b) partiallywithdrawing the male die so that it is out from between the interlockforming heated dies, c) completely closing the interlock forming heateddies to continue formation of the inwardly sloping bottom surfaces ofthe arrowhead shaped interlock seal and forming snap detents in portionsof the margins of the strip next remote from the inturned base of thearrowhead shape of the reclosable seal, and d) moving the female dietoward the male die to set the arrowhead shape of the interlock sealbetween the female die and the interlock forming heated dies.
 35. Themethod of making a resealable package having a reclosable interlockingseal as set forth in claim 32 including the further steps of, a) heatsealing the package completely transversely across its width above thereclosable seal, b) cutting through the heat seal transversely to thepackage width to form a package top heat seal and a bottom heat seal forthe next package to be formed, and wherein when the male and female diesare fully retracted to their initial positions, the interlock formingdies remain in their closed position so that the package is carriedlaterally outward with the female die away from the male die, the diesretraction following the heat sealing and cutting steps.
 36. Apparatusfor making a gussetted package having a reclosable interlocking sealincluding interfitting male and female parts and snap detents, and endseals at opposite ends of the package, comprising in combination, a)means for transporting in lengthwise direction a web of flexiblepackaging material of selected width and indeterminate length havingthermoformable strips of a length substantially greater than the stripswidth, said strips being affixed to the web with the strips lengthsoriented transversely to the running length of the film at packagelength intervals, b) a pair of spaced apart heated male and female diesfor partly forming the inner and outer separable portions of thereclosable interlocking seal with the inner portion fitted within theouter portion, c) a forming collar and means for moving the film oversaid forming collar and around a cylindrical forming tube and forming alongitudinally sealed cylindrical tube of packaging film with thethermoformable strips inside the film tube and with the surfaces of thestrips not secured to the film being in facing relationship within thetube, d) gusset forming tooling for forming a pair of opposite sidegussets in said cylindrical tube, said film moving means being effectiveto move the portion of the gussetted tube within which the strips aredisposed into position between said pair of spaced apart heated male andfemale dies, e) male and female dies moving means effective whenactuated in a first way for moving said male and female dies toward oneanother to press the faces of the strips not secured to the film againstone another to form two apposed strips faces extending at least partlyacross the film tube, and effective for continuing to move said diestoward one another into mating position and forming the central part ofthe strips extending across the film tube into the recess of said femaledie to form the tip of an arrowhead shape of the reclosable interlockingseal, said male and female dies moving means when actuated in a secondway being effective to partially retract said male die, and beingeffective when actuated in a third way to fully retract said male andfemale dies to their initial positions, f) a pair of spaced apartinterlocking seal completing heated dies disposed at opposite sides ofsaid female die and having open and closed positions, said interlockingseal completing dies being effective when closed to press portions ofthe margins of the strips immediately adjacent to the central part ofthe strip inward against one another to form the inturned base of thearrowhead shape in the inner and outer portions of the reclosableinterlocking seal and hold the seal within the female die, and saidinterlocking seal completing dies being effective when opened to releasethe formed seal from the said female die, and g) operating meansactuatable for moving said interlocking seal completing heated diesbetween said open and closed positions.
 37. Apparatus as set forth inclaim 36 wherein when said male and female dies are being retracted totheir initial positions, said interlock seal completing dies remain intheir closed position so that the package reclosable seal is held withinsaid female die and the package is carried laterally outward with saidretracting female die, said interlocking seal completing dies operatingmeans being actuatable to open said dies after said female die has beenfully retracted.
 38. Apparatus as set forth in claim 36 furtherincluding package sealing and severing means for sealing and severingfrom one another adjacent ends of successive packages, said operatingmeans for opening said interlock completing dies being actuated afterthe heat sealed adjacent ends of successive packages have been severedand said female die has been fully retracted.
 39. Apparatus as set forthin claim 36 wherein said pair of spaced apart interlock completingheated dies disposed in open position at opposite sides of the femaledie are operative when closed to press portions of the margins of thestrip immediately adjacent to the central part of the strip inwardagainst one another to form the inturned base of the arrowhead shape inthe inner and outer portions of the reclosable interlocking seal heldwithin the female die, and are operative to form detents in a majorlength of the portions of the margins of the strip next remote from theinturned base of the arrowhead shape of the reclosable seal, saidinterlock completing dies having rows of apposed spaced teeth which whenbrought together force thermoformable strip material outward between theteeth to form said detents, said apposed spaced teeth extendingcentrally along the length of the interlock completing dies with theterminal portions of the dies being flat, untoothed, and of slightlyreduced elevation in the regions of the gussets.
 40. Apparatus formaking a reclosable interlocking seal having a female outer part, a maleinner part and snap detents, for a resealable gussetted package havingfront and back faces and at least one side gusset, the package beingformed from a longitudinally sealed gussetted cylindrical tube ofpackaging film with at least one thermoformable strip secured to thefilm inside the tube and with the surface of said at least one strip notsecured to the film in facing relationship within the tube, comprising,a) a pair of spaced apart heated male and female dies, b) means formoving the portion of the gussetted tube within which said at least onestrip is disposed between said pair of spaced apart heated male andfemale dies, c) means effective when actuated in a first way for movingsaid male and female dies toward one another to press the faces of thestrips not secured to the film against one another to form apposed stripfaces extending at least partly across the gussetted film tube, andeffective for continuing to move said dies toward one another intomating position to form the central part of the strip extending acrossthe film tube into the recess of said female die to form the tip of anarrowhead shaped reclosable seal in the front and back faces and theincluded gussets, said means for moving said male and female dies towardone another also being operative when actuated in a second way to movesaid male and female dies away from one another, d) a pair of interlockseal completing and detent forming heated dies positioned at oppositesides of the female die and having open and closed positions which whenin closed position are operative to press portions of the margins of thestrip immediately adjacent to the central part of the strip inwardagainst one another to form the inturned base of the arrowhead shape inthe inner and outer portions of the reclosable interlocking seal heldwithin the female die, and operative to form detents in at least aportion of the margins of the strip next remote from the inturned baseof the arrowhead shaped reclosable seal, e) means for moving toward oneanother into closed position said pair of interlock seal completingheated dies positioned at opposite sides of said female die effective tocomplete the inner male and outer female parts and snap detents of thereclosable interlocking seal held between said female die and said pairof interlock seal completing heated dies.
 41. Apparatus for making areclosable interlocking seal as set forth in claim 40 wherein saidinterlock seal completing dies have rows of apposed spaced teeth whichwhen brought together force thermoformable strip material outwardbetween the teeth to form said detents, said apposed spaced teethextending centrally along the length of the interlock completing dieswith the terminal portions of the dies being flat, untoothed, and ofslightly reduced elevation in the regions of the gussets.